day 19 and feeling a little angry and anti-social

[christyacc]

I've been on these boards off and on since 2008. I have in that time, accomplished a max of 6 months. So far this time is 19 days. I feel better because of it, no hangovers, no memory loss, all that stuff.

But why do I feel angry and frustrated? I'm pissed off that I am not drinking and everyone else around me is. I feel robbed and gyped. Its my own fault I know and my family is happy about it and deep down I am too, I'm just frustrated and feeling sorry for myself.

Can someone please tell me I am normal and it will please go away.....

[Today]

day 19 and feeling a little angry and anti-social

:goodjob:Hi Christy, I think what you're feeling is normal and I know its going to go away. I'm at 14 days AF and understand what you mean about feeling gyped. It bothers me that they can do it (drink, stay good) and I can't. Sometimes I feel on the outsides watching now.. But I've realized I really can't handle AL and boy did I try.

So hang in there, you're doing great! Its hard not to feel frustrated about all this but I have to imagine it will fade. And then you'll probably get wonderful new emotion to feel. Now that we're not numbing ourselves, whole bunch of feelings coming out!

Congrats on your success to date!

[HowDryIAm]

day 19 and feeling a little angry and anti-social

christyacc;1166234 wrote: I've been on these boards off and on since 2008. I have in that time, accomplished a max of 6 months. So far this time is 19 days. I feel better because of it, no hangovers, no memory loss, all that stuff.

But why do I feel angry and frustrated? I'm pissed off that I am not drinking and everyone else around me is. I feel robbed and gyped. Its my own fault I know and my family is happy about it and deep down I am too, I'm just frustrated and feeling sorry for myself.

Can someone please tell me I am normal and it will please go away.....

Despite my drinking I still have some favorite activities and I try to really treat myself when I am withdrawing. I love to go to movies, so I will go and not worry that it's not a matinee, or worry the popcorn is such a rip. I remind myself it's still cheaper than the $40 - 80 I was spending on booze each week.

Maybe you should go get a massage or something.

I also try to find new social circles that aren't based on drinking. For example, I found a really fun board games group on meetup.com. When I found it, I was feeling like you were and there just happened to be a gathering that night.

[christyacc]

day 19 and feeling a little angry and anti-social

Thanks for the replies! Today has been 3 weeks since drinking last......

I have been trying to be social. My husband is even not drinking to support me. I'm the one with the issue not him, yet he's clinging on 'I don't need to drink'. It's really hard to be in places where you were bombed before and now aren't drinking, and still have a good time. I find myself excusing myself and heading home. I sit there alone, reading or watching tv. Maybe this is something that will just take me some time to adjust to. It has been some time of overindulging.....I do still find myself very resentful that I have this issue and it doesn't affect anyone else.

I was at a party last night and I put my diet pop in a glass with some ice, and I felt a little better. However, I do find myself very stand-off'ish.

I don't want to not be with those friends anymore, they are my besties.....and they love me.

[Doggygirl]

day 19 and feeling a little angry and anti-social

Hi Christy. I think it's really important that you find some ways to address this resentment and let it go. Like HowDry mentioned, I have completely changed my hobbies and interests since I quit drinking. Sitting around drinking diet soda while everyone else drinks and shoots the breeze just wasn't fun for me either. But rather than resent the situation, I figured there is a whole big world out there of new things to try. And so I did.

Carrying on with life as it was, just without an AL drink in one's hand is knows as being "dry drunk." It doesn't usually resolve by itself. We have to put some effort into re-structuring a better life without AL in it. At least that has been true for me.

The reward? I don't miss drinking AT ALL. I dont' feel resentment towards people who can drink normally. I have new hobbies and interests that I really enjoy. You can have all that too. It takes effort! But it's worth it.

It is wonderful that your husband is being so supportive. My husband is a normal drinker too, meaning he can do that totally amazing and impossible (for me) thing of having ONE beer and then stopping. But in a show of solidarity, he doesn't ever drink when he is with me. That support means a LOT to me.

I wish you well. The whole world is out there in front of you. I hope you decide to pick some good stuff off of the buffet of life.

DG